Juwan Howard hit all 10 free throw attempts and scored 18 points
and Rod Strickland and Chris Webber added 17 apiece as the
Washington Wizards handed the sputtering Chicago Bulls their
first home loss of the season, 90-83.

Washington, which snapped a two-game losing streak, also got 12
points off the bench from Tracy Murray, eight assists from
Strickland and nine rebounds from Webber. The Wizards broke a
four-game losing streak in Chicago, winning there for the first
time since November 5th, 1994.

Michael Jordan had 28 points but hit just 10-of-28 shots for
Chicago, which has lost three of its last four games and fell to
4-4. Luc Longley tied a career high with 21 points and Dennis
Rodman grabbed 14 rebounds for the Bulls, who also opened the
1994-95 season 4-4 without Jordan.

"We knew that this would be a tough game," Strickland said. "We
fought through a lethargic first half and played a solid team
game in the second half. We were much more patient trying to
get the ball inside and it paid off with a win. With Scottie
(Pippen) out we just tightened up our defense on Michael
(Jordan) and that worked for us."

The Wizards held Chicago to 30 second-half points, including
just 14 in the fourth quarter, and 40 percent shooting
(34-of-85). The Bulls shot just 31.6 percent from the field in
the final quarter.

"Our shooting was pathetic tonight," said Chicago coach Phil
Jackson. "We played a good team that kept us on our heels all
night. I just thought we didn't have a lot of energy in the
game. We played pretty good defense but getting the ball in the
basket was difficult. We must step up our game and play much
better in the next two home games before we go out west."

Trailing by four after three quarters, Washington tied the game,
69-69, with 9:51 left on a jumper by Murray. The Wizards took
the lead for good when Webber drained a three-pointer for a
72-69 advantage with 6:25 remaining.

Chicago pulled within 78-76 with 1:55 left on a turnaround
jumper by Jordan. But that was as close as the Bulls got over
the final two minutes as Howard sank six straight free throws
down the stretch.

"This was more a game of attrition tonight," said Washington
coach Bernie Bickerstaff. "We gutted it out and played solid
defense in the second half. That made the difference.

"It was really pleasing to see that we had poise down the
stretch to finish the game. It's always significant to come
into the United Center and win. Hopefully, this is a building
block game for us."

Chicago's Toni Kukoc went 4-for-13 from the field and finished
with nine points.

"When we had open shots tonight we were taking them but weren't
hitting," he said. "Right now, nothing is going right for us.
But there's no panicking going on in here. We're going to be a
good team."